A National Broadcasting Company official has confirmed reports that the network had paid Baldur von Shirach, former Hitler youth leader, for an exclusive appearance on one of its news programs. Von Shirach, who was released recently from Spandau Prison in West Berlin after serving a 20-year term as a Nazi war criminal, had appeared on the Huntley-Brinkley news program. Don Meany, an NBC vice-president, said that the network “probably” felt that “if we didn’t buy it, somebody else would. The feeling at NBC was that it was a legitimate news story; and, to get it, it became clear, we would have to pay for it.” Von Shirach reportedly was paid $4,000 for his NBC appearance.
The British Broadcasting Company, which had scheduled the former Nazi youth leader for a similar appearance, canceled the plan, explaining von Shirach wanted “too much money.” The BBC, however, was flooded with protests against the projected appearance.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
